Last week we asked the members of our community on Instagram why they went plant-based.

We loved their responses and now we’re inspired to share with you the top reasons to go Plant-Based in 2020.

In a world filled with choices, when making a life-altering choice we believe the best decision is to find your “WHY”.

Finding your “WHY” will help direct you on a new path with purpose but also help you stay the course.

If you’ve been curious about becoming plant-based, we are sure these reasons to go plant-based in 2020 will help you take that next step.

Also, note this list is not in any specific order of importance.

REASON#1 – YOUR HEALTH:

The whole food plant-based diet is one of the healthiest diets to follow!

As a result, adopting this lifestyle can provide overall health benefits. A whole food plant-based diet is known to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, certain cancers and more! Countless studies have been done to show this evidence including one of my favourite resources the  China Study. 

The World Health Organization explains that 60% of all deaths are due to chronic diseases with cardiovascular disease being one of the leading causes. This article also notes that the risk factors are linked to unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and the habitual use of tobacco.

The World Health Organization states: “If these risk factors were eliminated, at least 80% of all heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes would be prevented; over 40% of cancer would be prevented”

Are you now wondering what a whole food plant-based diet is all about?

A whole food plant-based diet includes a wide variety of whole foods and minimizing processed foods. This would be any plant foods in their natural state, unrefined or made up of minimal ingredients. This excludes animal products such as meat, fish, dairy and honey.

Whole-food plant-based infographic for you to review by  Forks over Knifes: 

 

There are many types of plant-based diets for you to consider when transitioning, we personally recommend the whole-food plant-based diet due to its proven track record & history for optimal health. 

REASON #2 – FOR THE ANIMALS:

Our next reason for going plant-based in 2020 is for the animals!

Over 200 million land animals are killed around the world per day. 

This is one of the best things you can do to support animal welfare. Consuming a plant-based diet can save more than 25 land animals per year. 

Factory farming and animal cruelty is a worldwide issue.

What is factory farming? Factory farming is an industrial operation conducted for the production of meat products. Factoring farming houses a mass amount of animals such as cows, chickens, and pigs for food consumption. These animals are under extreme confinement, inhumane slaughter, injected with hormones and numerous antibiotics for growth purposes and disease prevention.

My recommendation for learning more about what is going on with regards to animal cruelty would be to watch any of the following three documentaries.  

  • Earthlings 

  • Dominion

  • Blackfish

REASON #3 – THE ENVIRONMENT:

Reducing animal product consumption has a major positive impact on our environment. 

Livestock and their byproducts account for at least 32,000 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year, or 51% of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.Robert James Goodland

Animal agriculture is a massive contributor to climate change. The effects range from water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, land population, waste pollution, deforestation and spices extension. 

A few stats: 

 Thank you for taking the time to read this article! Above all, I hope this will also shed some light on the reasons to consider going plant-based in 2020, if you haven’t already.  

Most importantly, It is easier than ever to go plant-based because of the abundance of options popping up across the globe. We can also help you transition to a plant-based diet with our simple and easy to follow whole-food plant-based meal plans. Feel free to learn more here: Plant Ahead Meal Prep Program.